Yes, the Kevin Eastman report was inaccurate, but it appears there was some truth behind the rumors after all. TMNT co-creator Peter Laird confirmed to MTV that he has had “several meetings with very interested people” for a live-action / hybrid Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film.

Like Alvin and the Chipmunks or Scooby-Doo, the idea of a hybrid movie is to shoot the film with live action humans on practical locations. Computer Animated Ninja Turtles (and possibly cg villains as well) would be inserted into the shots. I actually think CG turtles could allow for some really crazy action sequences. The two major problems I had with the computer animated film was that it was geared towards young children and that the story was so fantastical and unrealistic. Sticking the computer animated turtles in the real world seen in the first lie action film might be just what is needed.

When asked about the rumor that Steve Barron, the filmmaker who directed the first Ninja Turtle film, would return to the franchise, Laird said “I would be very pleased if he ended up directing the next TMNT movie.” Lets hope this doesn’t happen. I think the project needs someone with a new vision.

The story is in the very early stages, and Laird admits that they haven’t even nailed down a villain yet: “It would be fun to do something with the Shredder, but I am also excited about the possibility of creating some new characters for the movie.”